“Avengers: Infinity War” roared to $39 million at the Thursday box office, posting the biggest preview title for a Marvel movie title ever, and for the superhero genre as well.
It also became the 4th biggest preview gross ever, behind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” ($57 million) “Star Wars: The Last Jedi “($45 million) and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” ($43.5 million). “Captain America: Civil War” earned $25 million in previews, while “Black Panther” grossed $25.2 million.
The first “Avengers” scored $18.7 million in 2012 in previews, while its follow-up “Age of Ultron” grossed $27.6 million three years later. The first film opened to $207 million, scoring the fourth biggest opening weekend of all time, while “Ultron” scored $191 million and scored sixth place.
“The Dark Knight” was the previous record-holder in Thursday previews in the superhero genre with $30.6 million, followed by “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” ($27.7 million).
“Avengers: Infinity War” is gunning for the biggest opening of all time. Leading up to its release, the film was tracking for an opening of around $225 million, which would be second on the all-time list and higher than the $220 million launch earned by “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” It would also be the biggest opening in superhero movie history, beating the $202 million earned by “Black Panther” two months ago and the $207 million earned by the first “Avengers” in 2012.
Internationally, the movie has earned $95 million in its first two days after starting its rollout on April 25 in 21 markets. “Infinity War” currently holds a score of 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Avengers: Infinity War” sees the galactic warlord Thanos (Josh Brolin), who was first teased in the “Avengers” post-credits scene six years ago, finally arrive on Earth as he seeks to gather the six Infinity Stones that will give him godlike power over the entire universe. In the face of this overwhelming threat, the Avengers reunite once more, teaming up with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and the Guardians of the Galaxy in a war that will forever change the MCU.
Anthony and Joe Russo (“Captain America: Civil War”) directed the film from a script by longtime Marvel Studios writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The film’s ensemble cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, Don Cheadle, Vin Diesel, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, and Chris Pratt.
